Q. Tell us about yourself and your family.

A. I've been married to my husband for 21 years. Considering the fact that we dated for six years before we got married I have known him more than half my life! I got married when I was 26 and I wanted to have my first baby before I turned 30. My son Ian was born on March 6 and I turned 30 on April 21. Ian graduated from high school last year and is now attending college in Chicago. I would have loved to have had a daughter but that obviously wasn't in the cards--Ian is an only child. We bought a house on 5 acres of land 18 years ago and I love it. I see beautiful sunrises from my deck every morning, I have deer that bed down in the yard at night--it's quiet and peaceful. And best of all is the privacy. When we moved in 18 years ago there was one house across the street from us and you couldn't see another in any direction. That's changed over the years, but we're still surrounded on three sides by 500 acres of farmer’s fields; and let me tell you, corn fields make the BEST privacy fences! If there is one downside to living in a rural area it's the fact that I only have access to dial-up internet service--I have to run into town to the cyber cafe to do any serious uploading or downloading.

Q. How long have you been scrapbooking? (paper & digital)

A. I've been scrapping digitally for 10 years--ever since I got my first digital camera. I saw the work that my sisters and some of my friends were doing with their paper scrapping and I was intrigued, but I was a bit put off by all the supplies required for this hobby. I zoned in on the words "cut" & "paste"--hmmmmmmm these were words that were familiar to me from computers. I pulled up the photo editing software that came with my camera and I never looked back. I was actually unaware of the resources for this hobby available on the net until just a couple years ago. I checked on-line when I first started out, but all I could find were a few paper scrapping sites. Then one day I was out shopping and I stumbled across and issue of a digital scrapbooking magazine. "What's this?" I thought, as I snapped it up. I brought it home, read it cover to cover and discovered the wonderful world of digital scrapbooking on-line.

Q. What is your scrapbooking/design/craft background?

A. I've always been a creative person. My Grandma taught me to crochet and embroider when I was young and it's something I still like to do today when I can find the time. I always liked to draw and I took up one-stroke painting a few years back. I've got six brothers and sisters who all get three new Christmas ornaments every year that I design and create. I also do calligraphy and really want to learn how to do copperplate handwriting--it's on my list of things to do someday! My father-in-law gave me his shopsmith when he moved and it's sitting out in the barn. That's another thing on my list of things to do someday--I want to teach myself woodworking. It was something that my Dad did really well and I'm only sorry that I got this bug to learn the craft after he was gone. Besides, somebody out there needs to start making and marketing 8 x 8 and 12 x 12 picture frames! I guess you could say that at any particular point in my life I was involved in some type of craft work.

Q. What software you use?

A. I started out with Micrsoft PictureIt! and used it happily for many years. I had Photoshop 6 on my computer at one time and I was so intimidated by it, I just took it off. It wasn't until my thoughts turned to designing my own kits that I pulled it out again and learned how to use it. Picture It! is a great program--simple to use, anyone can do it, but I had pushed it to its limit and wasn't able to get out of it what I wanted for designing. If anyone out there uses it and has any questions, let me know--I probably know the answer! Now I use PhotoCS and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Q. How many layouts do you average per month?

A. Do designers actually do layouts? LOL Before I started designing I probably averaged 15 layouts a month--now I consider it an accomplishment if I’m able to do a layout with my newest collection! Seriously, though, I am probably averaging about 5 layouts a month for my own personal albums.

Q. Why do you like to create elements/kits?

A. For me it’s a creative outlet. I’ve always been somewhat artistic and I’m always happiest when I have a project in the works. I especially enjoy creating scrapbooking supplies because I can keep everything in one place and I don’t have to clean up my workspace so I can serve dinner! It’s a good feeling to actually see something go from my head to the page.

Q. How would you describe your style?

A. If I had to describe it I would have to say traditionally elegant. I love beautiful papers and fancy, elegant elements.

Q. Who/what inspires you when you create?

A. That’s an easy one—anything and everything in the world around me! I tend to drive my family crazy. I carry a note pad in my purse and I’m always whipping it out to make notes or sketch one thing or another. We were at a Christmas party at my husbands shop in December and as he was giving us the tour I kept picking up little bit and pieces and parts of machinery and telling him what great scrapbooking elements they would make. My first collection "Spring Greens" was inspired by my mother-in-laws shower curtain!

Q. What is the best thing about scrapbooking?

A. For me, the very best thing about scrapbooking is the chance to preserve memories for future generations. I am big into genealogy and I believe that a scrapbooking album will be a much better resource for my relatives in the future than an envelope full of photographs could ever be.

Q. Show us your favorite of your own layouts:

A. I Remember—I was the coordinator on Digitals new Charity kit. This was an important project for me because my Mom suffers from the disease. This is my tribute to her.

Bottles In The Sun

Time Flies

Grandma Betty

Diana's products are all on sale for 20% off from Jan. 29 - Feb. 11. She will be offering pieces to her Sunny Days Collection each day during these 2 weeks in our Free Daily Download section so be sure to come by each day for the complete kit.